Amitabha Sutra - in Buddhist Traditions

In Buddhist Traditions

In Pure Land and Chán Buddhism, the sūtra is often recited as part of the evening service (Chinese: 晚課; pinyin: wǎn kè), and is also recited as practice for practitioners. The Jōdoshū and Jōdo Shinshū schools also recite this sūtra when necessary. It is frequently recited at Chinese and Japanese Buddhist funeral services, in the hope that the merit generated by reciting the sūtra may be transmitted to the departed.

A common format for the recitation of the Amitābha Sūtra (in the Chinese tradition) may include some or all of the following:

• Praise for the Incense Offering (盧香讚)
• Praise to the Lotus Pond (蓮池讚)
• The Amitābha Sūtra (阿彌陀經)
• Pure Land Rebirth Dhāraṇī (往生咒).
• Amitābha Gāthā (彌陀偈)
• Recitation of Amitābha Buddha's Name (佛號)
• Transfer of Merit (迴向)